Written for Poetic Self for the Wishes for Kisses Mini-Fanworks Challenge. Betaed by Eliza.

Jack Sparrow's not a man given to regret. Life is made up of opportunities, and the pursuit of one necessarily eliminates the chance at others. Still, he feels it's a poor pirate who thinks on the finest treasure he ever let slip through his fingers and does not feel a pang for what he's lost.

So Jack remembers swimming to the Black Pearl, away from his own execution, away from lovely Elizabeth and her stalwart William, and doesn't think he can be blamed for needing a little extra rum on those occasions.

Of course, that doesn't mean he's exactly overcome with joy to have Will aboard his ship again. For one thing, it means Elizabeth might once more be bringing a not insignificant portion of the Royal Navy down on his trail. For another, Will is as gloomy as only a denied bridegroom can be.

Jack only hopes the course he's set staves off the first problem. The second, he's trying to solve with the judicious application of rum.

"You should have seen her, Jack," Will says yet again. "She was so beautiful."

"I can imagine." Jack can, in fact. Despite the impression he's careful to give Will, he remembers Elizabeth Swann very well indeed, even if those memories are sadly lacking in certain details. And it really is a shame the wedding was interrupted before it had even started, or Will might have been able to provide certain of those details.

"I didn't even have the chance to kiss her again before we were separated."

Just Jack's luck the boy's maudlin in his cups; nothing for it but to distract him before the tears start. Kissing sounds worthwhile.

Will tastes satisfactorily of rum, and he kisses back eagerly enough. He's probably thinking of Elizabeth.

He'll make a pirate yet.

~END~